THE situation regarding refugees fleeing war and poverty, especially in the Middle East, has now reached truly desperate proportions.

These are ordinary people seeking escape from desperate circumstances, often with tragic results, as the recent drownings of Aylan Kurdi and his family have so graphically illustrated.

To date, the UK’s response to this crisis has been lamentable.

I fully accept that there have to be sensible measures to manage immigration and protect national borders. However, ‘pulling up the drawbridge’ in the face of such an urgent humanitarian crisis is immoral and wholly unacceptable — not least as the UK and its allies bear considerable responsibility for the refugee situation.

Such an approach is, moreover, completely out of step with the growing recognition that we are all ‘world citizens’ and will damage the UK’s international reputation.

It will furthermore foment resentment, especially in the Middle East/North Africa, thus encouraging terrorism against the UK and its citizens/armed forces personnel abroad.

The UK must step up its endeavours to offer sanctuary to refugees arriving in Europe and to resolve the situations driving thousands upon thousands of people to flee their home countries.

Prof Ann-Louise Caress, Darwen (via email)